Wadi Araba Cluster
Barriers can expand horizons
Governorate: Aqaba
Cluster Villages: Ar-Risha, Gharandal and Bir-Madkor
Community Type: Rural Bedouin
Location
Wadi Araba is a desert area in the southern part of the Kingdom, north of Aqaba City. The valley is 160km long and 40 km wide, stretching over a total area of 2,085 km2.
Description
An arid area in Jordan, Wadi Araba suffers from poverty, the lack of natural resources and a sparse vegetative cover. The clusters traditional Bedouin population consists of 2,130 inhabitants living within 318 households.
Problems and Challenges Facing the Area
Poverty
High unemployment rates
A long history of tribal disputes (12 tribes exist in the area)
Scarce water resources
Lack of recreational facilities
Economic Problems
Lack of income-generating projects.
Lack of job opportunities.
Lack of vocational training.
The majority of inhabitants rely on livestock breading, mostly camels, as the traditional method to generate income. However, economic benefits from this type of work is minimal, due to:
Lack of proper facilities to tend for livestock.
Most practices conducted in caring for livestock are inherited from one generation to another. These methods are difficult and time consuming, and locals do no have any other income generating skills to fall back on.
Lack of proper facilities for the manufacture of animal bi-products.
Lack of marketing skills among the locals.
Addressing the Local Needs of the Area
The Kaa Al-Saedine Cooperative is JRFs community partner in the Wadi Araba cluster project. The Cooperative consists of 364 members (with membership increasing on a monthly basis) and elected leadership. The project included capacity building sessions with the Cooperative in team building and needs assessment, in addition to on-job training specifically in agricultural issues and Integrated Pest Management. A three-party agreement has been signed between the Cooperative, the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation and JRF (RCCDP) regarding the management of the project during implementation through to long-term management in the future. Currently, there are 9 permanent employees with the project including an experienced Cluster Officer, and different daily laborers working on the farm.
One of the critical success stories of this cluster was the resolution of a 70-year land dispute in the Wadi Araba cluster between the government and the local tribes. This dispute, in addition to internal divisions between the tribes in the area, was resolved through the skill and perseverance of project staff supported by the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation and local authorities.
The Wadi Araba Water Conservation Infrastructure Project
(Abu-Barga Dam)
The construction of Abu-Barga Dam was completed in May 2004. Currently, the dam stands at five meters high in both the upstream and downstream components and is now secure when the rains come. The contractor injected cement around the body of the dam to fill all gaps to ensure that the dam will retain all the water collected. The locals can now water their farm from the 250,000m3 rainwater harvesting dam, in addition to a small well that was rehabilitated as part of the project. This initiative also created a number of new businesses such as cement block production, and provided income and on-the-job training for Bedouins to learn modern agricultural skills.
Wadi Araba Integrated Livelihood Farm
The Integrated Livelihood Farm set up in Wadi Arab was completed in May 2004, and covers a total area of 200 dunums. Ten single and three multi-span greenhouses are fully installed and planted with vegetables, and the cluster farmers are currently selling cucumbers, peppers, cherry tomatoes, melons and other products. 28 dunums of grapes and 30 dunums of citrus were planted. A tractor, refrigerated truck, fertilizers, chemicals, seeds and some packaging materials have been purchased. The number of livestock in the farm reached up to 160 goats and 25 camels, and a small veterinary clinic was established inside the farm to help the farmers improve the livestock fortune in the area. A hydroponic mechanical green fodder unit, a drip irrigation system and greenhouses will also maximize scarce water resources.
This project has also capitalized on the value local Bedouins place on their camels, which were consuming considerable resources with little economic benefit. Through the production of milk and camel cheese, they are now able to increase revenues from this resource.
